Monday 12 October 2015

OLS Reflections 22



“Superlunary” by Omar Cherif - The Red Sea in Ein el Sokhna, Egypt

  • Choosing not to be led by your emotions does not mean you’re cold or heartless; it means you’re wiser. Be reflective, not reactive.

  • The Universe has Magick for those who dare to follow their dreams.

  • Truth is the cure to many diseases.

  • I write to explore my thoughts and comprehend my mind.

  • Whether it occurs on the conscious level or the subconscious, it is us who assign meaning to whatever we face in life. Be it people, situations, or things, we are the ones who choose to process and label them as positive or negative…or neutral, as they truly are.

  • Today is the last day of your life so far. So live the now, NOW. “Later” may never come. 

  • Looking at what people post on social media nowadays, I sometimes feel so grateful that when I used to go out to clubs and pubs and bars in the mid-late 90s camera phones were not a thing yet. 

  • We’re all flawlessly flawed.

  • The more you know yourself, the more you’ll love your own company.

  •  If it works for me then let me be.

“Let There Be White” by Omar Cherif - Undisclosed Location in Ontario, Canada, 2011



ALSO VIEW:


OLS Reflections

OLS Reflections Deux

OLS Reflections Vier

OLS Reflections Khamsa

OLS Reeflections Yedi

OLS Reflections 八

OLS Reflections Ten

OLS Reflections Onze

OLS Reflections 13

OLS Reflections Quince

OLS Reflections Sixteen

OLS Reflections Dix-Huit

OLS Reflections تسعة عشر

OLS Reflections Veinte Uno

OLS Reflections Dreiundzwanzig

OLS Reflections Twenty-Four

OLS Reflections Vingt-Six

OLS Reflections Ventisette

OLS Reflections Veintinueve
 
OLS Reflections 30

OLS Reflections Ein Unddreißig

OLS Reflections  إثنان وثلاثون

OLS Reflections Thirty-Three

OLS Reflections Trentaquattro

OLS Reflections 37

OLS Reflections Trente-Neuf

OLS Reflections Forty  

OLS Reflections Einundvierzig

OLS Reflections — The Spiritual Edition 

OLS Reflections Cuarenta y Cuatro

OLS Reflections 45

OLS Reflections Quarantasette

OLS Reflections — The Unpublished Edition

OLS Reflections Forty-Nine

OLS Reflections 50 

OLS Reflections Cincuenta y Dos
 
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Sunday 11 October 2015

Cooking My Catch, Finally ― Pasta with Calamari [with Video and Recipe]



Cooking My Catch, Finally ― Pasta with Calamari [With Video and Recipe] by Omar Cherif, One Lucky Soul

Since I dropped then reduced red meat and chicken some years ago, seafood became the only life form to regularly consume. Fishing is a heck of a meditative activity that teaches patience like nothing else. So being on the beach by the Red Sea in Egypt these days, I thought it would be a cool idea to go fishing for squids ― like back in the days. My sister agreed to come along and we headed to the pier by sunset.

Maybe 10 minutes through, my sister caught a medium-size squid. Another 15 minutes she got another. Then finally I caught one. But we had to leave soon after because it got too windy.

We went home and cleaned them up and decided that since there wasn’t much, we should leave them in the freezer for the next day when we could hopefully catch some more. During the action, I noticed some flashes on the skin of the calamari, like some kind of Christmas lights. This was after one full hour since they were decapitated after we caught them. So I thought I would get it on film. Below is the video of this peculiar sight.

I also found other YouTube videos in which the same phenomenon is displayed.




We went again to the pier the next day, but the wind made it impossible to fish. So back home I was left with little calamari, and decided that the best way to make them would be on top of some pasta. As usual, I consulted the Internet to skim through some recipes before finally heading to the kitchen to create my own version.

What made this meal quite special is the fact that it’s the first time to cook my own catch. It is actually something I have been meaning to do for some time. During fishing trips as a teenager, I had caught some fairly-big, edible fish but there was always someone to cook them for us on the boat. As I came to find out, there is something so wild and innate, even also ancestral about the experience; it is probably why I felt somewhat happily compelled to eat those squids, since I wouldn’t want to just kill them for no purpose.

What’s noteworthy is that even though I’m here using the two terms interchangeably ― simply because I do not know which is which ― squid and calamari are two different animals; squid is cheaper and tougher while calamari, meaning squid’ in Italian, is more tender and expensive. After some thorough Googling, I found that due to language differences, geographical location, and misunderstanding, more often than not squid and calamari are generally confused.
I leave you with this Link if you want to know the actual difference.


On a parallel note, here is The Difference Between Mandarin, Tangerine, and Clementine.



Back to our Recipe. Enjoy!


  • Start cooking pasta.

  • Add butter or 2 tsp. olive oil to a saucepan over medium heat.

  • Add chopped green onions and mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes or until onion softens. You can always substitute golden/white onions; and garlic, caper, anchovies, crushed red pepper/red chili, dry white wine, pine nuts can always be added for variety.

  • Add tomato sauce and 2 tsp of Dijon mustard. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes.

  • Add the calamari to the mix and cook for 3-4 minutes until it becomes tender, then remove from heat. 

  • Add parsley, basil, rosemary, Herbes de Provence (savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, oregano), salt and pepper.

  • Drain pasta, add the yummy mixture, and toss lightly over low heat until warm.

 Buon Appetito!


Cooking My Catch, Finally ― Pasta with Calamari [With Video and Recipe] by Omar Cherif, One Lucky Soul

ALSO VIEW:

New Kreation: Onion-n-Garlic Pasta with Mussels and Other Yummy Stuff


New Kreation: Veggie Pasta

New Kreation: Sliced Baked Potatoes with Herbs

The Meaning Behind Different Colours of Egg Yolks
 
 
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Wednesday 7 October 2015

Words With Italian Origin That Are Still Used Today In Egypt



Words With Italian Origin That Are Still Used Today In Egypt by Omar Cherif, One Lucky Soul


Italian Egyptians are a community with a history that goes all the way back to Roman times. Like Greeks, Maltese, and Jewish people among other nationalities and ethnic groups, they were integrated into the Egyptian society and have peacefully coexisted ever since. 


The story begins in 36 BCE when the last Queen of ancient Egypt, Cleopatra, married the Roman, Mark Antony, to whom she offered her country as a ‘dowry’. Egypt then remained part of the Roman Empire for seven long centuries. Many people from the Italian peninsula moved to live there during this time.

Since then, there has been a continuous presence of Italian Egyptians and their descendants. For the new generations, there was a considerable amount of cultural assimilation and influence, which went both ways. There was even a Venetian Quarter in Cairo.

After Napoleon I, the Italian community in Alexandria, and in Egypt in general, began growing exponentially. The 1882 census recorded 18,665 Italians in the country; just before World War II, they reached 55,000 — forming the second largest expatriate community in Egypt after the Greek. Most Italian Egyptians resided in Alexandria and Cairo, and consisted primarily of merchants, artisans, professionals, along with a large number of workers.


On a parallel note, check this photo-article of mine,
Echoes From The Past — Alexandria in Photos, to see the see the beauty of that Mediterranean city. 

We know from history that whenever different nationalities, cultures, and languages mix, words happen to be borrowed in-between them — like Creole and Pidgin languages for instance. In linguistics, Nativization is the process whereby a language gains native speakers. This necessarily happens when a second language used by adult parents becomes the native language of their children.

One way or another, almost all immigrants and expats, and their children, are affected by the language of the country in which they reside. Though, again, this interlanguage process goes both ways, as
my parents and grandparents would agree.

So
just like vitesse,
ascenseur, gateau, maquillage, soutien, Beau Lac, and Chateau Neuf ( شطانوف:  إحدى قرى مركز أشمون التابع لمحافظة المنوفية ) were borrowed from French to the Egyptian Arabic dialect, there are words that were borrowed from Italian, most of which have survived to this very day. The following is a list of said words that I grew up using or hearing without really thinking much about their origin.


1. Gonnella: Skirt


2. Tarasina: Balcony or terrace (mainly used in Alexandria).


3. Tanda: From Tenda, a cover or sort of curtain.


4. Vaza: From Vaso, vase.


5. Falso: False or fake. Often used when describing fake goods, specifically jewellery.


6. Belyatsho: From Pagliacco, clown.


7. Gwanti: From Guanto, glove.


8. Ballo: Dance or ball, used as an expression to denote chaotic commotion or loud noise.


9. Varanda: From Veranda, balcony.


10. Sala: Hall or reception area.


11. Bagno: Bath.


12. Fattura: Invoice or bill.


13. Cameraira: From Cameriera, chambermaid.

My grandmother always spoke about her own grandfather who was feared by all the kids and who lived alone in the third floor of their villa and had his own Greek cameraira.


14. Banzeena: From benzina, gas station.


15. Carton: From cartone, pasteboard.


16. Salata: From insalata, salad.


17. Makeena / Makana: From macchina, machine.


18. Meckaniki: From meccanico, mechanic.


19. Mobelia: From mobilia, furniture.


20. Ballone: From pallone, balloon.


21. Barouka: From parrucca, wig.


22. Rochetta: From ricetta, prescription.


23. Tasa: From tazza, frying pan.


24. Stabena: From sta bene, Is it fine/OK?

This one was quite a shocker for me since I always thought it
s “Estabena” in Arabic, which would have made more grammatical sense as a verb.


25. Vitrina: From vetrina, shop window.


26. Teatro: Theater.


27. Marca: Brand, make.


28. Torta: Cake, pie.


29. Prova: Rehearsal, test.


30. Vella: Villa.


More additions were kindly added by some readers...


31. Roba Becchia: From roba vecchia, junk.


32. Gelati: From gelato, ice cream.


33. Locanda: Hotel.


34. Carro: Chariot or wagon (also in Spanish).


35. Lista: List (also in Spanish).


36. Goma: From gomma, rubber.


37. Bicicletta: Bicycle.


38. Medalia: From medaglia, medal.


39. Bo’: From bocca, mouth.


40. Besella: From piselli, peas.


41. Comodino: Bedside table.


42. Borneita: From berretto berrettino (smaller) cap, hat, or beret.



Other than Italian, the Internet is full of words Egyptian Arabic borrowed from English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Also check my recent article: Some Arabic Sayings and Their Translations. 




ALSO VIEW:


Some Arabic Sayings and Their Translations
 
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Sunday 4 October 2015

Photos I Shot That Brought Tears To My Eyes




Reuniting

Our life is made of up of captured moments frozen in time. Things shared and time spent together become the memories which the heart and soul never forget.

 

I. I captured the above photograph in May of 2011 during the Japanese Cherry Blossom week in High Park in Toronto. The old Asian man kept his hand on the tree for over five minutes as his partner/daughter, and myself, peacefully watched.

The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. For them, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It is a spiritual reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short. There are tales about the power of those trees in granting wishes.


I actually sensed I was witnessing some profound moment and that
s why I felt the need to capture it on camera...from afar, and without intruding. I think he might have been ready to reunite soon. My eyes were all watery by then.


Your only true disability lies within your own mind

II. When I left Egypt to Canada I was regaining my health after leading a toxic lifestyle for at least a decade. My 20th floor view in Toronto overlooked a tennis club with four courts. One sunny morning I was in the balcony when I could see a young boy on a wheelchair playing tennis with a trainer. That was quite a shocker at the time. Because in Egypt, for example, you rarely ever see people on wheelchairs in the streets. Simply because the streets are not equipped for wheelchairs. Here, the young boy was not only outdoors, but he was engaging in a fun, healthy physical activity and enjoying that beautiful day.

I couldn’t help it so I took the camera and went down to get a closer look. I didn’t want to impose or cause any awkwardness by photographing the boy, so I started taking shots all over, as if that’s what I was there for. The photo above is the best one I could capture from behind the fence. 

This was quite a profound moment. Because it made me ponder on how I had my full health, yet willingly chose to screw it up. And others, who aren’t as fortunate, are not giving up on life and are actually playing sports. It was a genuine reminder that true disability lies nowhere other than within our own minds. Me eyes were all watery by then.



Glory To Utras Ahly

III. The sign reads We Won't Forget You” in Arabic. This view is at the entrance of Al-Ahly Club in Cairo, Egypt and those are the photos of the 72 Ultras martyrs, mostly teenagers, who were brutally murdered after a soccer game several years ago for siding with the revolution against the military regime.

At the time this happened, I was far away in Canada. Taking part in some demonstrations in Toronto and my humble words
were all I had to offer. So seeing this face-to-face when I went back for a visit in 2013 was an intense experience which brought a lump to my throat.

The massacre took place in February 2012 and until today the real culprit, as whoever gave the orders to kill those teenagers, remains unknown. The case has probably been dealt with”
.

The Final Straw is an except from an unpublished note which I had written about the whole thing.



Inspection

IV. During a camping trip in Ontario, Canada we came across a heard of cows.
We stopped the carand I took the camera and went down for a closer look.
Apparently I wasn’t the only one who was curious. This cow, probably the leader,
was the one that came closer. For a minute or two, I felt that my soul was being
carefully inspected.

As you can see, the herd was standing back, away from the fence. Through some
peaceful, gentle body language it must have felt I was safe and meant no harm.
It then turned around to the rest and signalled to them that it was OK to join.


   
Once they all came closer, I began with some intuitive communication before I
started shooting
This special moment of connection — my first with cows left me ecstatic and in utter
awe with
a few tears rolling down my cheeks. Since I never got as emotional while
performing any other activity, this is when I knew I had to keep shooting for Life.
A few years later, the happy tears came back while drumming. 
Another sign from
down deep inside within my soul.


Happy Mike

V. I first met Mike at the Venice Beach Drum Circle some months ago. I knew he was into singing, but because it
’s usually too loud there, I never had to chance to really listen. Yesterday as I was strolling around the Venice Boardwalk with the camera, I heard an angelic, soothing voice, and it was none other than Mike. What a sweet soul. Check out the Video and see for yourselves.



Again, your only true disability is in your mind

VI. On the same day of the first couple, I also came across this lovely young woman at High Park during the Japanese Cherry Blossom week. How she is courageously living her life struck me with the force of googillion suns. She was all alone standing there making a phone call, looking ravishing and colourful. As if her disability wasn’t even in the equation. How inspirational. You see, rather than spend her life feeling sorry for herself, it’s her positive mindset that is allowing her to shine as such.
 A lot to learn here.

Of course I had to be quite discreet when capturing about two or three photos. By then, my face was covered in tears. As mentioned on the second photo, I was still coming back to life and regaining my health following a mere decade of a toxic existence. So my senses were waking up after a long, deep, dark slumber — or hibernation, more likely. And simple, everyday kind of inspirational encounters like these were how the healing was manifesting. Tears then became a reminder of my humanity as well as of overcoming the suffering.
 



Tears are how the soul cleanses itself. Embrace them.


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